The Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre at Acadia University in Nova Scotia has received a $1.2 million grant from the provincial government to support ongoing research on tick-borne diseases. Nicoletta Faraone, who heads the center, emphasized the importance of the funding in establishing and expanding the lab’s capabilities.
The funding will primarily be allocated to the center’s surveillance program, which focuses on identifying tick species in the region, their carried pathogens, and their responses to repellents or attractants. Ticks, known for transmitting diseases like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis to humans, pose significant health risks.
With cutting-edge equipment, the lab aims to expedite pathogen testing procedures for a better understanding of ticks and enhanced preparedness in preventing tick bites. Research Nova Scotia’s CEO, Stefan Leslie, highlighted the urgency of addressing tick-borne diseases, emphasizing the need for practical research solutions beyond laboratory settings.
Recent data from the Public Health Agency of Canada revealed a surge in Lyme disease cases nationwide, with Nova Scotia alone reporting 2,350 cases in 2024. Additionally, anaplasmosis cases have been on the rise, prompting increased attention to combat these infections.
Apart from the provincial funding, the project received $455,000 from the federal government through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This financial boost will enable the lab to continue its tick-breeding initiative, eliminating the need to purchase ticks externally. The local breeding program will aid in studying Canadian tick genetics and serve as a revenue source by supplying specimens to researchers nationally and internationally.
Faraone mentioned that the tickery is operational, with ticks collected throughout different seasons for breeding purposes. The initiative aims to create optimal conditions for tick colonies to propagate efficiently and sustainably.